First play of Newman revived theatre program
The Newman University Theatre Department will present Ken Ludwig’s “Lend Me A Tenor” at 8 p.m. Nov. 17, 18 and 19, and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 20, in the Jabara Flexible Theatre in the De Mattias Fine Arts Center on the Newman campus.
Tickets are $10 general admission, $8 for seniors, $5 for students college age and below, and free for Newman students with ID. Tickets will be available at the door 45 minutes before each show.
The New York Times referred to “Lend Me A Tenor” as “one of the two great farces by a living writer.” The play is the first official production of the revived theatre program at Newman, which is being reinstated after an absence of several years. “Lend Me A Tenor” is the first of what will become an annual dramatic performance. In the spring 2012 semester, Newman will also begin producing an annual musical. The university will also present a variety of smaller shows through the year, as well as a continuing schedule of concerts by the Newman Chorale and Troubadours singing groups.
“We’re striving to present a quality product that will bring audiences back show after show,” said Newman Director of Theatre Mark Mannette. “We plan to rotate styles and genres so that we present a variety of plays that include comedy and drama, contemporary and classical, musicals and the great works of dramatic literature. ‘Lend Me A Tenor’ is one of the funniest plays of the 20th century, and a great way to reintroduce Newman theatre to the community.”
For the first time in years, the university will also offer theatre as an academic program. Newman began offering classes this fall that lead to a minor in theatre. Beginning in the spring 2013 semester, the university plans to offer a major in theatre for the first time in the institution’s history.
For more information on the production or the theatre program, contact Mannette at 316-942-4291, ext. 2486, or [email protected]. More information can be found on the playwright Ken Ludwig at www.kenludwig.com.
Theatre campaign continues
Newman officials noted that launching the program will require more than $100,000 per year for the next three years. To that end Newman has begun a campaign to secure the funds necessary to support the theatre program.
The campaign began with a major gift solicitation from people and organizations with ties to the arts. Newman is also selling “Support the Arts” posters with all proceeds going to the theatre campaign. The poster, which features colorful artwork by Wichita political cartoonist Richard Crowson, sells for $10 unframed, or $50 framed.
Newman will also benefit from the university’s founding and sponsoring order, the Adorers of the Blood of Christ. The religious congregation will match donations from Newman alumni up to $30,000 over the three year period.
To purchase a poster or make a gift in support of the return of theatre at Newman, contact Charlotte Rohrbach, ASC at 316-942-4291, ext. 2167, or Molly Fox at 316-942-4291, ext. 2174.
